A post-mortem examination is being carried out on partial skeletal remains of a child recovered from wasteland in Donabate in Co Dublin.
Gardaí suspect the remains are those of Daniel Aruebose, the three-year-old boy who went missing four years ago.
They are awaiting the results of DNA and toxicology results to confirm the child's identity.
The search of wasteland at Donabate where the remains were found continued but is expected to end in the coming days if no further evidential material is discovered.
Gardaí and forensic specialists spent the last two and a half weeks searching for the remains of Daniel whom they were told had been secretly buried after he died of natural causes.
The partial remains discovered on the wasteland were removed last night in an unmarked undertaker’s vehicle for a post-mortem examination to be carried out by a State Pathologist with assistance from a specialist paediatric pathologist.
DNA samples will also be used to formally identify the child whom gardaí believe is Daniel, who lived in the nearby Gallery apartments in Donabate.
Daniel’s foster family who looked after him for the first year and half of his life have been devastated by his disappearance and say they never forgot him and always missed him.
People have continued to leave floral tributes, soft toys and messages at the entrance to the search site, in a case that has resonated and caused shock and sadness all over the country.
The people of Donabate are due to hold a vigil in memory of Daniel on Sunday.
Gardaí have been finalising their examination of the scene.
They are anxious to try to ensure that no evidential material remains behind when the area here is re-opened to the public.
The site has been disturbed over the years by nature, wildlife and weather conditions and there are concerns that the burial site could have been interfered with and evidence scattered over a wider area.
Once the identity of the child has been confirmed, several new lines of inquiry will be opened to the investigation team at Swords, who are also continuing to appeal to anyone with information about this case and specifically about Daniel Aruebose to contact them.
Read more: What we know so far about the case of Daniel Aruebose
Gardaí have also been in contact with Daniel’s family, some of whom are abroad, and they are co-operating with the investigation.
Because of the condition of the child’s remains and the length of time they have been in the wasteland and exposed to the elements, the post-mortem examination may not be able to definitively establish a cause of death.
However, gardaí have identified a number of persons of interest, who will be formally interviewed and in time arrests are expected to be made as part of this investigation.
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